Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2

One of the best ways to beat blackheads is with regular use of an exfoliating toner. Rather than roughing up your skin, these formulas help dissolve the dead skin cells that trigger blackheads — use it daily, and not only will it clear existing spots, but it will help to prevent future ones from surfacing, too.

Clinique’s Clarifying Lotion 2 is a bestseller for its effective formula that resurfaces skin without causing redness or peeling. Its star ingredient is witch hazel, a proven acne-fighting ingredient that helps control excessive oil production on the skin. This formula also contains hyaluronic acid to restore moisture after use, resulting in a plumped, clear complexion.

Editor testing and review notes: “As much as I want to start pinching my skin as soon as I see a pesky blackhead pop up, I know that slow and steady wins the race for clearer pores. This skin-clearing toner was the product that gave me the epiphany. When I use it nightly, I notice that my pores are far less noticeable in a magnifying mirror and without any redness or sensitivity. For those with combination skin like me, this is true godsend. It tamps down oiliness in my T-zone while treating the rest of my skin to lightweight hydrators for a balanced result.” — Senior Beauty & Lifestyle Commerce Editor Claire Sullivan

Price upon publish date of this article: $20.90

Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Face Patch

Blackheads can appear all over your face — not just on your nose. Unfortunately, most pore strips are only designed for the nose. Mighty Patch Face Patch isn’t like most pore strips, though. Inside the pack you’ll find five de-gunking hydrocolloid patches: One for your forehead, nose, and chin, and two for your cheeks. Gingerly stick them to their designated areas before heading to bed. They’ll draw out blackheads and other pimple residue come morning.

Editor testing and review notes: “Hero Cosmetics makes some of the best pimple patches on the market, and these blackhead remover patches follow suit. Unlike similar options, these have a strong hold on the skin once you adhere them, meaning you can easily go about your chores or doze off for a long night sleep without worrying about them sliding off your skin. I’m always impressed at how quickly they clear my pores, particularly if I use an exfoliating serum before sticking one on.” — Sullivan

What testers say: “I have tried many types of patches for my pimples around my face and blackheads around my nose area and it works wonders. Simple to use, wash your face, fully dry and place them on my face. I prefer to do it when I am ready to go to bed and remove them early in the morning. Clear skin literally overnight!”

Price upon publish date of this article: $17.98

Olay Face Cleansing Melts with Retinol

Washing your face is an essential way to treat and prevent blackheads, and Olay just leveled up your cleansing routine. Rather than a classic gel or foam cleanser, Olay’s Cleansing Melts are water-activated pads that transform into a rich, foamy lather when you add a few drops of water to them. The reason why this particular set made our list of the blackhead removal tools is because of their inclusion of retinol. The gold standard ingredient for anti-aging is also beloved by acne-prone skin types: The ingredient increases skin cell turnover, reducing the amount of pore-clogging dead skin that builds up on your complexion.

Olay’s top blackhead remover is ideal for taking on-the-go; the tabs are a leak-proof, TSA-friendly alternative to liquid cleansers. They’re also a great pore cleanser for sensitive skin types who usually can’t tolerate retinol serums, as your skin is exposed to the ingredient for a shorter period of time than if you were to reach for a retinol night cream that sits on your complexion throughout the night.

Editor testing and review notes: “I’ve tested cleansers in all sorts of formats — balms, oils, pads, et al. But the concept of a water-activated, fully-dissolvable face wash pad is a first for me. The little cleanser tabs are surprisingly tiny, but I found that with a few drops of water, it foamed up to the perfect dose for a deep cleanse. As someone with sensitive skin and occasional rosacea, I have to be ultra-careful about how much vitamin A I expose my skin to, but this was a Goldilocks amount. After one week of daily use, I noticed an improvement in the appearance of my blackheads, particularly around my nostrils.” — Sullivan

Price upon publish date of this article: $14.99

Tweezerman No-Slip Skin Care Tool

This skin care tool may not have all of the bells and whistles of some high-tech devices, but it still manages to efficiently clear out blackheads without breaking the bank. The barebones Tweezerman No-Slip Skin Care Tool has two loops on either end — the larger for whiteheads and the smaller for blackheads. To use, thoroughly clean your skin and the tool, then place the little ring around your blackhead and apply ultra-gentle pressure. This will lightly pop the filament out of your pore without damaging the skin around it. Tavernise suggests applying a warm compress to the area before going in with the tool to loosen the blackhead and draw impurities to the surface for easier extraction. Make sure to sanitize the tool as well as your skin after use.

What testers say: “This works nicely. I pick at my skin pretty compulsively, sometimes using sharper tools like tweezers or bobby pins. This helps me pop consciously – since getting it, I’ve been picking at things less and being more gentle when I do.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $11.99

First Aid Beauty Compostable Facial Radiance Pads

On days when you wear a full face of makeup or simply reapply sunscreen every two hours per your dermatologist’s orders, you’ll need something to slough away built-up residue that can settle into your pores and cause blackheads. First Aid Beauty’s exfoliating pads are a great choice for oily to dry skin types, as they’re soaked in a solution of glycolic acid and lactic acid that remove debris without stripping your skin barrier. Both ingredients are alpha hydroxy acids, which are known to help your skin release dead skin cells on the surface of your complexion while also drawing in moisture so you don’t feel tight or dry after use. Best of all, these exfoliating ingredients not only help to eradicate blackheads, but also leave you with a brighter, more radiant complexion with regular use.

If you’ve written off single-use beauty products, stay with us: These blackhead removers are made with compostable materials.

Editor testing and review notes: “After spending upwards of $80 on facial exfoliating pads, I decided to test out these more affordable ones from First Aid Beauty. Surprisingly, they gave me the exact same results. I experienced no tingling, redness, or irritation — just a glowing, clear complexion. I could work my way up to using them once daily, but I find that for my combination skin, I can massage one on every other day to help keep blackheads at bay.” — Sullivan

Price upon publish date of this article: $15.30

Dermaflash Dermapore Ultrasonic Pore Extractor and Skin Care Infuser

Tavernise raves about the Dermaflash Pore Extractor because its sensitive skin-friendly two-in-one design clears out pores with minimal pressure and helps serums perform better. “This esthetician-recommended innovative tool cleans and unclogs pores, and can also be used with your favorite serum to penetrate more deeply,” she says. “Boosted ultrasonic speed and ionic technology easily and painlessly extract dirt, oil, and blackheads, making pores look smaller instantly.” For removing blackheads, spritz the included Prep Mist all over your face and switch on the extract mode. Then, hold the skin taut and glide the tool along congested areas. Debris will build up on the spatula as blackheads become unlodged. Before switching to the infuse mode, wipe off the tip and apply a hydrating or brightening serum. Slowly swipe the flat edge of the tool all over your face to enhance absorption.

Editor testing and review notes: “I’m usually partial to chemical blackhead removers versus tool, but this one is a great gentle option for folks who want to manually clear out their skin. It has a subtle vibration to it that helps degunk my pores without turning my skin red after use, and the design is ultra-easy to clean between uses.” — Sullivan

Price upon publish date of this article: $109

Naturium BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2%

If you have skin that’s both sensitive and prone to acne, you may feel like you have to choose between beating breakouts or soothing your skin on any given day — few products can effectively target both concerns. That’s why Naturium’s Liquid Exfoliant made our list of the best blackhead removal tools: It’s an excellent choice for pimple-prone skin that tends to feel irritated or stripped after classic acne spot treatments.

This top blackhead remover contains a potent dose of salicylic acid, an ingredient that not only purges pores, but also helps to calm inflammation. Along with fruit-derived acids, salicylic acid helps to minimize the look of your pores while smoothing out texture. Naturium’s formula also omits alcohol and oils, which are common culprits for sensitivity and breakouts.

Editor testing and review notes: “Incorporating this exfoliant into my routine gives me the results I get when I’m masking on the regular and drinking plenty of water — it makes my skin looks brighter and clearer while softening the feel of my skin. I find that my skin feels clean in a refreshed way rather than raw. For under $20, that’s pretty great.” — Sullivan

Price upon publish date of this article: $17.99

Bioré The Original Deep Cleansing Pore Strips

If you’ve been tempted to try out pore strips after watching a satisfying pore strip removal videos on TikTok, Dr. Landriscina encourages you to pick up these from Bioré. “They use patented C-bond technology which preferentially binds to blackheads and sebaceous filaments when exposed to water,” he says. “When used correctly, they’re able to remove blackheads without damaging surrounding skin.”

The strips will only work on damp skin, so after thoroughly cleansing your face re-wet your nose. Press the strip onto your nose and wait 10 to 15 minutes for it to dry before carefully peeling it off. Then, prepare to be amazed (and maybe a little disgusted) by all of the gunk that comes out.

What testers say: “I have suffered with enlarged pores and blackheads, especially on my nose area, ever since having my son, who is now 5. I have tried multiple products but have not gotten the results I receive from Bioré. They are very easy to apply and peel off! They do not hurt when you peel it off or leave my sensitive skin red/irritated. I could see all it pulled out on the pad and it was very satisfying! Finally a bump free nose!”

Price upon publish date of this article: $8.99

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

This Paula’s Choice exfoliating liquid has attained a cult-like following for the way it smooths out texture, fades dark spots, and remedies blackheads. TikTok and Sephora shoppers wax poetic about how it dramatically changes skin for the better, but they aren’t the only ones who love it. Dr. Mian is also a huge fan. She says that this face exfoliator is an excellent salicylic acid exfoliator that gradually transforms acne-prone, combination, and even dry skin. Make sure not to use it too often to avoid irritating your skin: Patting it onto your face once a week after cleansing is sufficient to reap the benefits.

What testers say: “I have been using this product for a few months now and can see a noticeable difference in how clean my pores are. I never knew how people kept their noses free of blackheads but this is the secret. Don’t use it every day because it will mess with your skin barrier. I alternate this, retinol, and hydration nights with slugging and my skin looks so much better. No scent and it dries down well.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $35

Peace Out AHA Pore & Blackhead Exfoliator Multitasking Treatment Stick

Dr. Mian emphasizes the importance of removing blackheads gently to prevent damaging the skin barrier. She recommends using products with chemical exfoliants, particularly salicylic acid. “Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that is a small enough molecule to go into your pores and clean them out in a way that does not trigger inflammation,” she says. This handy stick from Peace Out contains salicylic acid — along with a blend of AHAs, kaolin clay, and mushroom extract — to really expel deep blackheads. Swipe the fast-acting scrubby mask along problem areas, like the T-zone, and leave it on for 10 minutes before rinsing. The cleansing, exfoliating, and nourishing formula refines the look of pores, mattifies skin, and helps prevent future breakouts.

What testers say: “I’ve tried everything for the blackheads on my nose down to mixing raw apple cider vinegar with Moroccan clay powder as a mask (works well btw) so I went out on a limb trying this one. It’s much easier and quicker, and it’s perfect for travel. I have shallow but wide pores on my nose, a prime spot for unsatisfying blackheads. This not only cleaned them out but my pores look smaller after.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $24

Neutrogena Stubborn Texture Daily Acne Facial Cleanser

“I like salicylic acid cleansers as a blackhead remedy since they tend to be less irritating than leave-on exfoliants,” says Dr. Landriscina. “A favorite of mine is Neutrogena’s Stubborn Texture Cleanser.” Specially formulated to even out rough texture and diminish acne, this face wash for oily skin combines a gentle yet powerful mix of 1 percent salicylic acid with 2 percent glycolic acid and polyhydroxy acid. Washing with this can reduce persistent blemishes and leave acne-prone skin soft and clear.

What testers say: “I use it a few times a week and I have very oily skin. My mom uses it like once a week. It has helped both of us a lot. Definitely, you need to use a moisturizer if you are going to use this. We have also found it useful on our body acne.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $12.97

Beautybio Glofacial Pore Cleansing Tool

This Glofacial Pore Cleansing Tool from Beautybio is the closest thing to an at-home Hydrafacial. The device siphons out dirt, oil, grime, makeup, and blackheads (which you can see in the chamber after you’re done), while simultaneously infusing the skin with a salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid concentrate. Why these two ingredients, you ask? Salicylic acid unclogs pores and gently exfoliates to prevent future breakouts, and hyaluronic acid plumps the skin and helps it retain moisture, enhancing the all-over glow post-treatment. Before turning it on, fill the left chamber with a mixture of water and the included concentrate, then slowly swipe it along your face and areas of congestion.

Editor testing and review notes: “I’ve tested out this Beautybio facial kit during the holiday season when I wanted a radiant skin look, quick: I’ve had professional Hydrafcials before and always love the glowing, clean-feeling results post-facial. This set makes it easy to DIY a similar treatment at home with its solution and dual-chambered device. It can be hard to use around narrow contours of the face (near the nose), but it’s genius for clearing out pores on the forehead, chin, and cheeks.” — Sullivan

Price upon publish date of this article: $159

PMD Beauty Personal Microderm Elite Pro

PMD Beauty’s microdermabrasion tool has completely taken over TikTok with over 537 million views and counting. People are enamored with this TikTok-famous beauty product as it physically exfoliates skin with tiny crystal discs and how the gentle suction gets rid of dead skin cells, sebum, and other pore-cloggers. Consistent use once a week can lead to smooth, glowing skin.

The handheld device comes with four types of disc attachments of varying exfoliation intensities, so you can customize the treatment to fit your skin’s needs. Beginners should start with the sensitive skin-safe option and work their way up as they become accustomed to the treatment. For extracting blackheads specifically, slide your disc of choice into the chamber and screw on the blackhead cap. Then gently glide it along areas of congestion. The tool will suck out grime and trap it in the cap (you can actually see how effective it is once you’re done).

What testers say: “If your expectations are reasonable, you will probably enjoy this product. It’s not going to give you the same result as going to the salon, but the price point is vastly different. I see a significant difference in my forehead, a place where I have a tendency to break out with blemishes. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen much difference in the size of my nose pores. I’ve had the product for over a month now, using it several times a week, and I am pleased by the construction and sturdiness of the item.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $299

Skin Gym Ultrasonic Lumiscrub Facial Pro Skin Spatula

Instead of picking and prodding at your skin to squeeze out blackheads, let Skin Gym’s Lumiscrub do the work for you. The unique vibrating skin spatula merges microcurrent and ionic technologies that gently wriggle out blackheads, sebaceous filaments, and dead skin. As it deep cleans, it also supplies a relaxing facial massage, making the tedious task more enjoyable. Once you’re done de-gunking, flip it over to the flat side to help your serums and moisturizers sink deeper into skin.

What testers say: “This product does exactly what it says that it’s going to do. It removes blackheads and accumulated sebum. After you get done cleaning your face, flip it over and put on your favorite moisturizer. I believe with the slight warmth and vibration that this produces, product is more easily pushed into the skin.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $80